The morning scene initially remained unchanged. Those of us now without work wandered around the ship, while the restaurant and maintenance crews were dying under the workload. Our mess hall was still operating, distributing sandwiches, and the pile of dishes grew proportionally. The scene was like something out of a cartoon. We had literally formed a mountain of dirty dishes. We occupied the entire room with them. You’d just leave your plate and back away slowly, because you didn’t know what might jump out from the pile. Who knows what had started “breeding” in there? Just when we thought this day would pass in a similar rhythm, massive changes ensued. They were announced over the PA system.

It seemed that after two days, they had managed to coordinate and find an interim solution. Everyone was waiting with bated breath to hear the Cruise Director when the speakers crackled to life. Instead of the terse, general, and mostly incomplete information we had received for the first two days, a total turnaround followed. The guests were finally informed that “repairs were unsuccessful.” That we wouldn’t have enough engine power to reach any port on our own. Therefore, we were waiting for vessels to help us move. Practically, we were going to be towed to port. This situation also arose due to a literal physical change in our position compared to yesterday. Since we had been drifting overnight without the ability to correct our course, the ocean current had completely shifted our location. Again, according to ship rumors, it had carried us a full 60 miles off our previous course! We didn’t receive this information officially, so I can’t claim it was precise. It came from our internal sources. But even if not totally accurate, it was at least approximately true, because we had obviously drifted far enough to change our plans, which the director confirmed in the rest of his speech. We were forced to change our destination. Instead of Mexico and Ensenada, our goal became San Diego.

Based on our current position, it was the closest port. I received this information with astonishment and simultaneously hidden delight. I had always wanted to see San Diego. Admittedly, not in this manner and under these circumstances, but it was at least the first positive thing for me in this entire chaos. Everyone said it was one of the most beautiful cities on this coast, but it wasn’t on our itinerary. Well, now it is—even if by such means!!! And as the cherry on top, the final piece of information followed. The guests were informed that we were running out of food. That we had to sort that out during the day, and that a solution had been found. Coming to our rescue, no less, was the US Navy aircraft carrier USS “Ronald Reagan”!!

The carrier had been on maneuvers near Los Angeles, and due to our situation, it was decided in some obviously high circles that they would suspend their operations and come to our aid. Brilliant, fantastic! Like in a movie. The modern cavalry was coming to save us…